Hardware considerations for efficient Point Of Sale

Touch screen point of sale systems are usually an all in one system where the computer and touch screen are combined into 1 unit known as an All in One (AIO) this allows for a smaller hardware footprint and less cabling. In certain industries such as hospitality and restaurants touch screen point of sale terminals are a pre-requisite as barcode scanning is not used and a Non Touch Point of Sale is not an option. Touch Screen Point of Sale systems usually consist of an All in One touch screen terminal, receipt printer, cash drawer and barcode scanner if required.

Non Touch Point of Sale Systems usually consists of a computer, LCD monitor customer display, barcode scanner, receipt printer and cash drawer. Keyboard point of sale systems are used in general retailers however their has been a tendency in South Africa where larger retailers are implementing AIO Touch Screen Terminals to reduce the footprint of the point of sale on the counter. For small or medium size retail outlets where barcode scanning is being used a Non Touch Point of Sale is usually more than sufficient and cheaper to purchase and maintain over the ownership period.

Barcode Scanners

Handheld laser barcode scanners are cheap to purchase and replace and work well in low to medium customer and product traffic environments. Handheld barcode scanners are suitable for General retail stores such as hardware stores, clothing stores and liquor stores.

Presentation or omni directional barcode scanners are suitable for medium to high customer traffic environments where small to medium size products being retailed can be presented or passed by the barcode scanner. This allows a faster customer checkout and process time as the barcode scanner does not have to be aimed directly at the barcode label for product registration on the point of sale system. This can save up 2-5 seconds per product being registered compared to a hand held barcode scanner where the operator or cashier must pick up the product aim the barcode scanner at the barcode label, press the trigger on the barcode scanner to register the sale on the point of sale system, put down the product and repeat the process for the next sale. This type of barcode scanner is suitable for supermarkets, butcheries, fruit and vegetable shops and convenience stores at filling stations.

Wireless Barcode Scanners

Wireless barcode scanners are generally hand held and consist of the barcode scanner with a rechargeable battery and a charging and communication dock or cradle in which the barcode scanner is placed for charging when it is not in use. The communication dock provides the communication link between the barcode scanner and point of sale system. The range of the different wireless barcode scanners vary from 10m to 200m depending on the type of wireless technology being used. This type of barcode scanner is used in retailers that sell large products where it is not viable to place the product on the counter to be scanned. This type of barcode scanner is also used in wholesalers where products are scanned in the customer’s trolley or off the floor.

Customer Displays

A customer display is used to show the product being registered on the point of sale as well as the total of the sale and the change that needs to be paid back to the customer. The advantage of using a customer display on a point of sale system is that it can speed up the check out process and the cashier or operator does not have to communicate the amount due to the customer. Customer displays are beneficial in a shop layout where the customer stands in front of the counter. There are 2 types of customer displays namely 2 Line LED and Multi line LCD.

2 Line LED customer displays have become an industry norm as they are cheap to install and replace and are easy to read from a distance using bright large LED Lettering.Multi line LCD customer displays usually mirror the image that the cashier or operator is seeing to the customer.